Process for atomizing liquid fuels



Dec. 3, 1929.

W. W. WILLIAM 1,738,489

PROCESS FOR ATOMIZING LIQUID FUELS Filed April 25. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l W 3, WW9 W. WBILLIIAMS PROCESS FOR ATOMIZING LIQUID FUELS Filed April 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIEE WALTER 'W. WILLIAMS, OF IBLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAMS {ILL-O MATIG HEATING CORPORATION, OF BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS PROCESS FOR ATOMIZING-LIQUID FUELS Original application filed August 4, 1920, Serial No. 401,146. Divided and this 1924. Serial My invention relates to the process of atomizing liquid fuels.

The object of my invention is to provide a process of atomizing liquid fuels as disclosed in the liquid fuel atomizing device which forms the basis for my prior Patent No. 1,492,186, granted April 29, 1924 upon an ap lication filed August 4, 1920. y prior patent is directed to the mechanical features utilized in carrying out the present process while this application is directed solely to the specific steps taken pr1or to the discharge of the fuel mixture into a combustion chamber and is a division of the appli- 1 cation of the above mentioned prior patent the a plication for'which was co-pendmg at the filing of this application. aid prior Patent No. 1,492,186 was granted April 29,

1924, upon an application filed August 4, 29 1920, and bearing the Serial No. 401,146.

The invention consists of the parts and construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective v1ew of the liquid fuel atomizer;

Fig. 2, is a sectional v1ew on the hue 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, is a sectional v1ew on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectlonal v1ew on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the et, showing the manner of mounting the jet in the furnace.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional new of the 'et.

1 Referring to the drawings in detail, A in dicates an electric motor mounted on a base B, and C a rotary pressure pump, the shaft of the motor furnishing the axis of the pump designated as 1. A rotor 2 is eccentrically mounted on the axis and rotates within a cylinder 3 having airtight ends 4. The rotor has three longitudinal slots, indicated at 5, said slots being parallel to the axis and running the full length" of the rotor. In these slots are laminated vanes 6, slidable therein and acting as a seal under the influence of application filed April 95, No. 709,029.

centrifugal force when the pump is operat- 1ng. A packing gland is mounted between the motor and pump, said gland consisting of a flange bushing 6 mounted upon the pump axis or shaft, and rotating with it. It is so placed that the pressure of the pump presses it outward against a leather or fibre washer 6 preventing oil and air from escaping from the pump.

When the motor is startedand the pump operated, a pressure is created therein, which is communicated through connections 7 and 8 to the rear of diaphragms within the primer and pressure valve casmgs 9 and 10 respectively, said pressure being registered on the pressure gauge 11. The pressure against the rear of the diaphragm within the valve casing 9 acts on a valve mechanism, within a valve casing 9, similar to that shown in Fig. re 2 of the drawings, illustrating the pressure I valve mechanism, and pressure is communicated through the piping 12 to a tank 13 containing a priming fluid, said fluid being taken into the tank from. a container 14 through a connection 15 having a. check valve 16 therein. The pressure exerted in the priming tank forces the priming fluid, kerosene being the usual primer, through the piping 17 and the safety check valve 18 to the rotary pressure pump 0.

At the same time that on the primer mechanism, a similar pressure is exerted against the rear of the diaphragm 19 in pressure valve casing 10, pressing inwardly an oil flow adjustment valve 21 on the rod 20, forcing said valve from its seat 22 to a position midway, or approximately so, between valve seats 22 and 23. The position of the oil flow valve is determined both by the pressure exerted on the diaphragm 19 and the tension of the spring 24, regulated by the adjusting nut 25 and connecting means 26. The valve mechanism may be regulated to act when a certain pressure has been created. An oil intake pipe is designated at 27, coming from a fuel oil container, not shown.

When the diaphragm has been forced inwardly by pressure against its rear face, the oil coming in from the intake pipe passes 100 pressure is acting The mixture is admitted ahead of.one of the laminated vanes when the rotor is in such a position that the vane is extended; hence,

. the furthermovements of the rotor due to its eccentric mounting within the cylinder places i the fuel mixture under pressureand forces it out oftthe pump through the pipe 31 to the burner, later described.

As it has been found that an unrestricted, amount of air mixed with fuel and placed under great pressure produces a loud roaring noise when-the burner is inaction, a by-pass designated at 32 has been constructed to carry the excess mixture back to the original air entrance to. the pump. An adjustment valve 33 is used to regulate the amount of air to be taken back The fuel mixture under pressure from the pump asses through the pipe, 31fand then throug I a special jet designated at 34. Thisjet, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, has a helix mounted therein, said helix having radially mounted grooves 37 thereon, and cones 36 projecting from either end; said radial grooves and cones giving the mixture that passes therethrough a whirlingaction. The

nozzle of the jet opens at a slight angle 38 and with the whirling action set up by the helix and cones,'-the mixture comes out in a I fine whirling spray.

I The fuel enters thefurnace 'D and the jet is directed into a cylindrical chamber or burner designated as 39, in such a manner that the jet is set at an angle with the inner wall of the burner, the spray from the jet being so directedthat it travels approximately 'parallel to the inner wall thereof, causing the flame totravel about'the surface of the chamber; It may be said here that the burn-' er above described is referred to with relation in oil burning outfits as distin 5K)- .to burners or combustion chambers as used 'shed from the chambers,--we will say, in internal comii'bustion engines, wherein-a mixture is exploded. A'draft. means for the burner is I sho'vvn' at'40. A pilot light, not shown, is s'ituatedwithin the furnace and just beneath the nozzle of. the jet. This light furnishes I f the ignition means for the fuel mixture.

' For a more complete understanding of the action-of the atomizer, its operation is reeitedfw i The electric motor is started either by the 'iactioii'jof "a thermostat or by the throwing ffoff an ordinary'switch in connection there:-

4 "The electric motor operates the-presump'g'and-thepump h produces a pressure aphr agms in both primer valve casing and pressure valve casing; the pressure on the primer diaphragm acts on the valve mechanism therein and transmits pressure to the priming tank, whereby a flow of priming'fluid is forced to the rotary pump. 1 This special priming mechanism makes possible an immediate ignition of the fuel mixture from the pilot light, by greatly enriching the mixture, the ordinary fuel oils not being readily ignited at low temperatures.

Coincident with the priming valve action is the working of the oil flow adjustment valve. The pressure created by the pump is communicated to the rear of the diaphragm in the pressure valve casing and the oil flow adjustment valve is forced from its seat 22 to 'an intermediate position, thereby permitting the fuel oil, formerly checked, to flow throughthe valve and by piping to the rotary pump. The tension of the valve is determined by a screw and spring means and hence the flow may be regulated to produce the fuel mixture that is desirable.

The oil flow is automatically maintained due to the pressure valve mechanism. An increasing amount of oil entering the pump causes an increased pressure therein, therefore, an increased pressure on the diaphragm and a consequent reduction in the oil flow due to the movement of the oil flow adjustment valve between its seats. Also adecrease in the amount of oil entering the pump produces a decrease in pressure, a consequent shifting of the adjustment valve, and an increased oil flow. Should this valve become clogged by heavy fuel or dirt, the pressure in the pump immediately falls, thus allow-: ing the valve to open wider, permitting the obstruction to pass through, not impairing the operation of the device.

Both the priming fluidand the fuel oil are ,mixed with air just before their entrance into the pump and are almost completely atomized within the pump, also they are placed under great pressure due to the eccentric mounting of said pump. The fuel mixture is taken from the pump under pressure through asingle tube to the burner,- an excess of air in the mixture being taken off, however, by a bypass; this relief of the excess air pressure resulting in a comparatively quiet burner. The" fuel mixture is expelled from the device through a special jet into a cylindrical chamber or burner in a fine whirlingvapor that follows a path approximately parallel to the inner wall of the chamber. V

What'I claim is: v

1. The process of atomizing liquid fuels to be discharged at a predetermined pressure to form a combustible mixture, comprising mixlng quantities of an and fuel, placmg said mixture under compresslon, relieving excess pressure from the mixture, and

till

till

wear-e9 discharging the mixture in the form ofa spray.

2. The process of atomizing liquid fuels to be discharged at a predetermined pressure to form a combustible mixture comprising mixing quantities of air and fuel, discharging said mixture into a chamber, compressing the mixture therein, relieving excess pressure from the mixture as it leaves said compression chamber, and finally accelerating the resultant mixture at the point of discharge.

3. The process of atomizing liquid fuels to be discharged at a predetermined pressure to form a combustible mixture comprising mixing quantities of air and fuel, compressing said mixture, relieving excess pressure from the mixture, and finally accelerating the resultant mixture at the pointof discharge.

4. The process of atomizing liquid fuels to be discharged at a predetermined pressure to form a combustible mixture comprising mixing and compressing quantities of air and,

fuel, relieving excess pressure from the mixture, and discharging the resultant mixture in a spray.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WALTER W. WILLIAMS. 

